Chinese New Year Hokkien Style in Malaysia

by Shirney

Celebrating Chinese New Year in Penang, Malaysia

Here are a few photos from our Chinese New Year celebration in Penang, Malaysia. It was a great start to the Year of the Tiger!

We had some of the more popular dishes for our Chinese New Year banquet on New Year's Eve:

Suckling Pig	Prawns	Fish
Abalone and Mushrooms	Sticky Fried Rice	Steamed Buns

And of course the multi-color fresh vegetables are always a hit, a mix of carrots, white radish, cabbage all mixed together to denote new life and prosperity:

Celebrating Pai Thien Kung

According to Hokkien traditions, the "Pai Thien Kung" Celebration which occurs on the 9th Day of the New Year, is celebrated in grand style throughout the island.

The preparations start early on, Pai Thien Kung is a celebration of praying to the Gods of Heaven.

The houses and streets are lavishly decorated. Here we are busy preparing some josticks which will be lit on the eve of the celebration:



A small altar is set up in the homes by the families:



It contains the many offerings to the Heavenly Gods: fresh fruits, buns, candles, incense, gold money for burning...



...and of course the crispy suckling pig...



On the Eve of the Festival, it is now time to lit the josticks...



... as the families come together to pray to the Gods of Heaven for prosperity in the new year...



...and the entire city comes alive with the celebrations...



Everyone comes out to celebrate, we spotted some of the cities functionaries, and tv personalities among the crowds...



All along the streets altars are set up, candles are lit...




People gather to celebrate and enjoy the good food, the festivities, the parades...



As midnight approaches, families go back to their homes, the golden paper money which has been folded and prepared already for weeks, is set up in mountains, the higher the better and with a special crown at the top, this will be burned in a final offering to the Gods of Heaven.